Events & Workshops

I offer in-person journaling workshops that focus on topics and techniques designed to guide one to a deeper self-awareness and enhanced ability to access the inner wisdom of the heart. These heart-based sessions call to those who are seeking to explore and re-connect with deeper aspects of themselves in a community of like-minded souls. As all true spiritual leaders tell us, all the answers lie within you. The heart is the source of true wisdom and guidance.

No journaling experience is necessary!

All that you need bring is a sense of curiosity and an open heart and mind.

Journaling Workshops

I offer in-person journaling workshops in Chaffee and nearby counties.

For more information on my in-person workshops, please visit my Workshops page.  I would also love to collaborate with you to create a custom workshop designed to meet the specific needs of your group.  You may contact me at 720-485-1431 or maryann@journalingforjoy.net.  

     All workshop participants will receive one of my 4" x 7" handmade journals.  To view my journals, please visit my Shop page.  I hope to see you soon!      

Intro to Journaling

Tips and Techniques

This 2-hour workshop is designed for both beginners and veterans looking to enhance their journaling experience.  We will briefly discuss the benefits of journaling as it relates to the overall health and well-being of mind, body, and spirit, as supported by scientific research.  All my workshops begin with breathing and relaxation techniques to help us quiet the mind and relax the body. I will then introduce a variety of prompts and techniques that you can add to your journaling repertoire.

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  • "Mary Ann goes out of her way to tailor a journaling experience custom for you. She meets you where you are."

    —Workshop Attendee

  • "Science, techniques, and heart. I loved it. Thank you."

    —Mel

  • "Mary Ann is a fantastic insightful leader. She drew participants out and led people of varied ages to write with emotion."

    —Judy Christie

  • "I can tend to experience life, and approach journaling from a very literal place. In just one hour, Mary Ann was able to help me access my unconscious voice and inner wisdom. Really helpful prompts that were super easy for me to springboard into writing. Thank you."

    —AM

  • "This is an incredibly well organized and thought provoking workshop. Mary Ann is a generous teacher, helping novice and experienced writers feel comfortable. The handouts she provided are great, covering a wide range of journaling aspects-and papers and handmade journals are beautiful!"

    —Workshop Attendee

  • "Mary Ann provides a wonderful workshop. She is a calming presence, easy to talk to and understand. I would go to any presentation she gives."

    —Diana Weir

Journaling from the Heart

In this 2-hour workshop, we will use a variety of creative prompts and guided imagery to help us reconnect to the inner landscape of our hearts, the seat of wisdom and inner peace.  We will focus on getting in touch with our emotions and begin to notice how our emotions talk to us through body sensations.  This focus on feelings, emotions, and body sensations is what helps lead us to greater self-awareness and better management of our emotions. No prior journaling experience is necessary, only a sense of curiosity and an open heart and mind.

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  • "Journaling for Joy was an incredible workshop. I felt safe and accepted to explore and share. Mary Ann does a great job explaining the material and giving us time to experiment with the different techniques. I look forward to future workshops she offers."

    —Workshop Attendee

  • " Mary Ann brings a warm and compassionate heart and much knowledge to her teachings. The group felt safe and by the end connected. I enjoyed being guided into my heart space in both writing and visualization practices. I left feeling peace in my heart and inspiration to continue to deepen my journaling practice."

    —Nicki Schadl

  • "Came into this workshop just wanting to know prompts or ways to journal, but came away with such great ways to really get in touch with my feelings and to think about what I want to say. Ways to just make the words flow."

    —KH

  • "Mary Ann, as facilitator of "Journaling for Joy", is absolutely wonderful. Her awareness, conscientiousness, and encouragement were truly impressive."

    —Sarah Conrad

Finding the Treasures Within

In this 2-hour workshop, we will embark on an adventure to find hidden treasure, the gifts and talents that lie within each of us. Through a variety of prompts and exercises, we will explore the strengths and resources that we all possess, some of which may be out of our awareness.  These talents and strengths are gifts that we can offer to the world. No prior journaling experience is necessary, only a sense of curiosity and an open mind and heart.  

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  • “I went to another workshop with Mary Ann. She is an amazing facilitator. I would highly recommend any of her workshops!”

    —Workshop Attendee

  • “This was a great addition to the first one. It gave me more things to think about and more tips to help me. So enjoy your workshops.”

    —Karen

Keeping a Gratitude Journal

Gratitude journaling can become your practice. Over time, your practice can become a habit of the heart. This habit of gratitude can become your way of living, your way of being.

In this 2-hour workshop, we will explore ways to increase our awareness of the blessings and gifts of everyday life, things we may often overlook. A shift in focus to the positive aspects of life offers an array of physical and emotional health benefits, enabling one to enjoy greater life satisfaction. No prior journaling experience is required, only a sense of curiosity and an open heart and mind.

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Beauty in Imperfection

Perfection is a myth not based in reality.  Nothing is perfect in nature nor in the human. The pursuit of perfection often leaves one feeling stressed, anxious, or depressed with little enjoyment of life. 

In this 2-hour workshop, we will explore different cultural perspectives surrounding the idea of imperfection, and use various prompts and guided meditations to help us consider a shift in perspective that leads to a place of greater self-acceptance and self-love.  No prior journaling experience is necessary, only a sense of curiosity and an open mind and heart.

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Awakening to Beauty

Our souls long for beauty!  Beauty evokes a sense of wonder and awe, a sense of belonging, and makes us feel alive.  Beauty is all around and within us, hidden in the ordinary moments of our days.  Yet how often do we fail to recognize and appreciate these many gifts and blessings?  

In this 2-hour workshop, we will explore the beauty of the outer world and the beauty within each of us. True beauty originates from within each of us, and external beauty acts as a mirror to that inner beauty. No prior journaling experience is necessary, only a sense of curiosity and an open heart and mind.

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Beauty in Authenticity

Authenticity, the quality of being genuinely and truly who you are, requires truth and honesty. It means acting in accordance with your own values rather than trying to please and live up to the expectations of others.

In this 2-hour workshop, we will use prompts and guided imagery to re-connect with our higher self, who we truly are at our core. No prior journaling experience is necessary, only a sense of curiosity and an open mind and heart.  

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